Trying to find information or at least a jumping off point...
My great grandfather, William Baron Shano was born in Italy (probably Messina in Sicily) according to oral family history he was an orphan and in the care of nuns who gave him the last name "Shano" and I was told it means "has no one" or something to that effect. His middle name "Baron" was actually a title that he won during a card game on the boat over to the U.S. I would really like some help where to get started with this. I have not guarantees to the authenticity of the stories. His real name may not have actually been William since a great deal of my family Anglicanized their first names.
His second wife was Rosalie Angrisano (my great grandmother), her father was "Mike" Angrisano (my great great grandfather), her mother's name is unknown at this time. I know that the Angrisano family came from Palermo, but the woman he married allegedly is from Northern Italy so says my mother since she had very light hair and light hazel eyes.
Anyone with information or anyone willing to let me pick their brain, please contact me!
I'll post more information as I find it.

Hello and Welcome to the Forum !
We'll all be happy to see what we can do to help.
Sometimes it only takes one good record, like a US census, to give you some clues on where to look next.
Usually you would start with yourself & everything you know about your parents and grandparents and gradually work backwards.
Many of us have subscriptions that may help get you through some of your roadblocks.
Do you have any birth dates, locations, family names that may help in the search - available US census records start at 1930 and go backwards.
Valarie
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Name: William ShanoDate of Birth: Tuesday June 02, 1896
Date of Death: October 1955
Est. Age at death: 59 years, 4 months
Last known residence:
State: Unknown
Social Security details:
State of Issue: Louisiana
Number: 434-22-xxxx

Name: Rosalie ShanoDate of Birth: Sunday November 05, 1905
Date of Death: December 1985
Est. Age at death: 80 years, 1 months
Last known residence:
State: Unknown
Social Security details:
State of Issue: Louisiana
Number: 438-36-xxxx
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For William Baron Shano, if no records are found with his parentsâ€™ names,
You may want to order this, cost abt $27

The SS-5, or Application for Social Security Number is a great resource for learning more about individuals ..., and generally includes the following: - Full name - Full name at birth, including maiden name - Present mailing address - Age at last birthday - Date of birth - Place of birth (city, county, State) - Father's full name - Mother's full name, including maiden name - Sex - Race as indicated by the applicant - Whether the applicant ever applied for Social Security or Railroad Retirement before - Current employer's name and address - Date signed - Applicant's signature

Hi Lindsay478 and welcome in the forum!
I have some doubt abt Shano spelling....
this is the 1920 census abt your ancestor:
1920 United States Federal Census about William Shano
Name: William Shano
Home in 1920: Milwaukee Ward 3, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Age: 28 years

all children born in Louisiana; the last child, Charles was born in Wisconsin..
I found a WWI draft registration card abt
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about William Shono
Name: William Shono
City: Milwaukee
County: Milwaukee
State: Wisconsin
Birthplace: Italy
Birth Date: 14 Mar 1887
Race: White
Roll: 1674778
DraftBoard: 1
Age:

WOW you guys are great! The burial info is correct. The social info seems correct, however I was told that my grandfather was never naturalized....
the 1920 census info isn't him, or at least I don't believe. As far as I know, there was only 1 child from that marriage and that would be my uncle Joe (Joseph, I am assuming). However I do know that he was in Wisconsin at some point, because that is where my grandmother was born and she is one of the youngest from the 2nd marriage which produced 9 children. All of which lived here or at least lived and some passed here (New Orleans area).
My mom is going to help dig some information up and I'm trying to make a trip up to visit my grandmother. She had a stroke a few years ago and her speech is impaired, so it will be a crazy game of charades to get names and possible dates.
I REALLY appreciate the help!

suanj wrote:well the surname could be SCIANO' in italian spelling... and of Sant'Agata di Militello... I believe correct the WWI draft registration card...suanj

Hello!
If Barbara Laine Shano (1887-1927) was William's 1st wife, then it is likely that his birth date was closer to 1887 than 1896
I think suanj has the correct WWI Card if William spent time in Wisconsin.
Valarie

It's going to be interesting to see how it all pans out. Basically I was told that if it's a Shano it's GOT to be a relation. I'm going to see if my mom can get together some dates/names/etc. And My great aunts & uncles get together once a week to have dinner, I'll call ahead to say we're coming and bring a recorder. Hopefully by next weekend I'll be loaded with actual and anecdotal history.

Lindsay478 wrote:... As far as I know, there was only 1 child from that marriage and that would be my uncle Joe (Joseph, I am assuming). However I do know that he was in Wisconsin at some point, because that is where my grandmother was born and she is one of the youngest from the 2nd marriage which produced 9 children...

Sometimes obituaries can be helpful in tracking down and verifying family recordsValarie

from HeritageQuest

Times-Picayune, The (New Orleans, LA) - October 28, 1999

Deceased Name: JOSEPH B. SHANO

Joseph B. Shano, a retired watchman for Plaquemines Parish government, died Tuesday of undetermined causes at Meadowcrest Hospital. He was 78. Mr. Shano was born in Cedarburg, Wis. and lived in Belle Chasse for the past 23 years. He was an Army veteran. Survivors include two sons, George and Joseph B. Shano Jr.; nine daughters, Bernadette Burk, Jeanette Carter, Lilly Terrebonne, Virginia Sutton, Elaine Shano Maltese, Annette Necaise, Betty Lou Stansburg, Shirley Wick and Mary Louise Gioiello; four brothers, Mike Shano Sr., William Shano Jr., Charlie and Paul Shano; three sisters, Angelina Bourgeois, Lena Kass and Mary Richard; 33 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren. A funeral will be held today at 11 a.m. at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 West Bank Expressway, Harvey. Visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m. Burial will be in Restlawn Park Cemetery in Avondale.

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Lindsay478 wrote:It's going to be interesting to see how it all pans out. Basically I was told that if it's a Shano it's GOT to be a relation. I'm going to see if my mom can get together some dates/names/etc. And My great aunts & uncles get together once a week to have dinner, I'll call ahead to say we're coming and bring a recorder. Hopefully by next weekend I'll be loaded with actual and anecdotal history.

you may have hit on something...
my grandmother used to call my grandfather 'biaggia' (sp?)
and her name was Rosalie but everyone called her Rose or Rosie.
The kids from that marriage are William Jr., Mike Sr., Sam, Charlie, Paul Louise, Lena, Angelina, & Mary. I don't know the exact birth order, but I do know Paul is the youngest.

Louise A Roddy on Wednesday March 2 1977 at 12:15 am wife of the late Charles L Roddy mother of Mrs Gloria Hues, daughter of the late Angelina Maniba and Mike Angrisano sister of Mrs Roselle Shano, Mrs Francis Cortez, Mrs Anna Gros, Mrs Angeline Pons and Paul Angrisano and the late Mary Badeaux, Mrs Jenny Saparita and Tony Angrisano Sr also survived by 1 grand child.Aged 67 years a native of Plaquemines Parish and a resident of Gretna for 47 years. Born 1-29-1909 SS# 433-40-xxxx

and sister Anna

Anna Gros, 'Aunt Nannie' Died Monday, December 1, 2003 At 10:30pm At The Age Of 82.Mother Of Angelina Matherne And Russell Gros, Grandmother Of April Vick, John Shaw, Melissa Gros,Joshua Gros, Ashley Gros, Great Grandmother Of David Shaw, Mrs. Gros Is The Daughter Of The Late Mike and Angelina Mandina, She Is The Sister Of The Rosalie Shano, Louise Roddy, Frances Cortez, JennieSaparita, Josephine Eskine, Angelina Pons, Mary Badeaux, Tony Angrisano And Paul Angrisano. Relatives, Friends Of The Family, Plaquemines Parish School Board, Lab Corp, Terreborne General, SchneiderNational, And Mastec, Are Invited To The Funeral. A Funeral Mass Will Be Celebrated In The Chapel OfWestside/ Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 5100 Westbank Expressway, On Thursday, December 4, 2003 At 1:00pm.Friends May Visit At The Funeral Home On Thursday Beginning At 9:00am. Burial Will Be In WestlawnCemetery In Gretna. Information 341-9421. Times Picayune 12-03-2003

Louise A Roddy on Wednesday March 2 1977 at 12:15 am wife of the late Charles L Roddy mother of Mrs Gloria Hues, daughter of the late Angelina Maniba and Mike Angrisano sister of Mrs Roselle Shano, Mrs Francis Cortez, Mrs Anna Gros, Mrs Angeline Pons and Paul Angrisano and the late Mary Badeaux, Mrs Jenny Saparita and Tony Angrisano Sr also survived by 1 grand child.Aged 67 years a native of Plaquemines Parish and a resident of Gretna for 47 years. Born 1-29-1909 SS# 433-40-xxxx

and sister Anna

Anna Gros, 'Aunt Nannie' Died Monday, December 1, 2003 At 10:30pm At The Age Of 82.Mother Of Angelina Matherne And Russell Gros, Grandmother Of April Vick, John Shaw, Melissa Gros,Joshua Gros, Ashley Gros, Great Grandmother Of David Shaw, Mrs. Gros Is The Daughter Of The Late Mike and Angelina Mandina, She Is The Sister Of The Rosalie Shano, Louise Roddy, Frances Cortez, JennieSaparita, Josephine Eskine, Angelina Pons, Mary Badeaux, Tony Angrisano And Paul Angrisano. Relatives, Friends Of The Family, Plaquemines Parish School Board, Lab Corp, Terreborne General, SchneiderNational, And Mastec, Are Invited To The Funeral. A Funeral Mass Will Be Celebrated In The Chapel OfWestside/ Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 5100 Westbank Expressway, On Thursday, December 4, 2003 At 1:00pm.Friends May Visit At The Funeral Home On Thursday Beginning At 9:00am. Burial Will Be In WestlawnCemetery In Gretna. Information 341-9421. Times Picayune 12-03-2003

This would be the great great aunts & uncles. How then, do I get immigration information for my great great grandparents?